Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Easy Holiday Appetizers

I’ve had many comments from readers who thought the idea of knowing how to prepare one easy appetizer really well was a great idea. It’s that time of year when we’re invited out and it’s nice to take something along to share. So, I sat out to make a list for us with the rule being that I can’t link to a recipe. Rather if it’s truly simple, I can explain it in a few words and you can replicate it.

flickr.com/photos/ceanandjen/3133691882

1. blue cheese and figs – Mentioned in an earlier post as my old standby. Slice a baguette lengthwise. Brush both sides with olive oil. Lay sliced blue cheese, sliced figs and basil on one half. Put them back together. Wrap the loaf in foil and warm at 300.

2. cheese board – Although I’ve claimed the first one as my regular, I actually do more cheese boards than anything. Select three different varieties of good local cheese. Go for three that are visually different. Unwrap them and put them on a board with a smattering of fresh fruit such as grapes or berries.

3. cherry tomatoes with pesto – from Hannah, the Wayfaring Chocolatier, a great suggestion. Hollow out cherry tomatoes. Fill them with a good pesto. Serve.

5. hummus – This is another standby. Put beans, tahini, a couple cloves of garlic, olive oil and perhaps some parsley into the blender. Done. Be creative and use everything from black beans to garbanzo to tepiary. At Thanksgiving I used parsnips for a delightful result.

6. quesadillas – Slice or grate some cheese. Place it between two tortillas. Warm it in a pan with a bit of butter. Use corn or flour and try a variety of cheeses. Serve with fresh salsa that you dreamt up or purchased locally.

8. olives – We are fortunate to have six olive trees but this is not about curing them. Buy some but buy a variety. Stuff them with almonds or blue cheese or chili peppers and service. I’ll post later on about olive trees.

9. salmon spread – have left over salmon and some cream cheese. Spin it in the processor and serve with bagel chips or crusty bread. Will work with other fish equally well.

10. roasted garlic – preheat oven to 375. Using a sharp knife, slice 1/2-inch off of the pointed end of a garlic bulb so that the individual cloves of garlic show. Pour 1/2 tsp olive oil over the top and wait 2 minutes for it to sink in. Repeat. Place on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Bake approx. 50 minutes.

There are so many other simple fruit and vegetable trays with tasty dips. What’s your favorite? Add it in the comments.

Sally Mom

I always have prepared pastry dough in the frig or freezer. It is easy to layer with colorful left overs like roasted vegetables to fresh spinach, etc. Sprinkle cheese and or spread cream cheese and left over meat, like chiken, lamb, seafood,whatever, including beans, add favorite appropriate spices roll up and bake then slice in pin wheels. While it is baking you get ready and it is hot and perfect, for a spur of the moment or good with soup! EASY!
Spam? John!

Oh gosh, I’m so honoured that my easy-peasy idea made it onto your list! :) Quesadillas is a fantastic idea, and something that I’d never have thought of myself (Australia is lacking in good Mexican cuisine, so I tend to forget about it). I still love the blue cheese and fig idea best :)

A SUPER easy last-minute thing to do: cover an 8-oz. brick of cream cheese with a jar of green or red pepper jelly. Serve with crackers. It’s lovely at Christmas time to use both colors. A good pepper jelly is both sweet and hot!

Welcome Martha. Yes, I should’ve mentioned that the source of the recipe actually does call for prosciutto. I’m not a big meat-eater but others love it. I like your idea also. Have seen the brick of cheese although usually with a sweet-hot sauce.

Kath (Eating for Living)

Oven-roasted winter sqaush is great! I use kabocha or kuri squash (butternut will also work, I think), remove the seeds, cut it into slices, and put it into the oven on a baking tray, spread with spices like cinnamon, black pepper, dried basil, etc. Simply bake at 200 °C / 390 °F for around 30 minutes. So good! :D

Lisa H

Great list Tammy! I will definitely try the cherry tomato with pesto. I like to put out candied pecans or just bowls of different types of nuts. Never thought of quesadillas as an appetizer, but what a great idea!

Email Subscription

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,320 other followers

Tammy

A wife, a mom, an executive, a certified leadership coach and a breast cancer survivor. I love food and I love to write and I'm often fascinated with the life lessons that come from my kitchen. Focusing on Local Food is one way that I work towards creating healthier communities.